Daily Republican., 1887-11-26
LINocLN's TENDER CON SCIENCE

Early in our practice gentleman
named Scott placed in my hands cas-,
OF some Importan ce. He had de
menied sister who possessed property
to the amount of $4,000, mostly il
cash. A conservator, as he wa:
called, had been appointed TO take
charge OF the estate, and we were en-
ployed TO resist motion to remove
the conservator. A designing adven
turer had becon e acquainted with the
girl, knowing that she had money
and sought 10 marry her-hence the
motion, Scott, the brother and con
servator, before we entered upon the
case insisted that | should fix the
amount OF the fee. told him that il
would be $3.50, adding, however, thai
he had better wait; 1t might not give
US much trouble. and in that event a
lesser amount would do. He agreed
at once to pay $3.50, as he expected a
hard contest over the motion. The
case was tried inside OF twenty min.
utes. our success was complete; Scot,
was satisfied and cheerfulIy paid over
the money inside the bar, Mr.. Lincoln
looking on. Scott then went out and
Mr.. Lincoln asked; "What did you
charge that maug" told him $3.50
Said he 'Lamon that Is all wrong.
The service was not worth that sum
give him back at least half of it."
protested that the fee was fixed in
advance; that Scott was perfectly sat
istied and had 80 expressed himself
THAT may be-" retorted Mr.. Lin
coin, with look of distress and un.
disguised displeasure ''but l am not
satisfied. This is positively wrong.
Go, call him back and return half the
money at least, or | will not receive
one cent of it for my share"
l did 30, and Scott was astonished
when handed him back half the fee.
This conversation had attracted the
attention OF the lawyers and the court.
Judge David Davis, then on our cir
cult bench, called Mr.. Lincoln to him.
he Judge never could whisper, but
in this instance he probably did his
best. AT all events in attempting to
whisper TO Mr.. Ii ncoln he trumpeted
his rebuke in about these words, and
in rasping tones that could be heard
all over the court room: 'Lincoln, |
have been watching you and Lamon.
You are impoverishing this bar by your
picayune charges of fees, and the law
yers have reason TO complain of you.
You are now almost as poor as Laza-
rus, and If you don't make people pay
you more Tor your services you will
die as poor as Jobs turkey"
Judge o. L. Davis, the leading law
yer in that part of the State, promptly
applaGded this malediction from the
bench; but Mr.. Lincoln was immova.
bic. THAT money" said he, comes
out OF the pocket of poor demented
girl, and | would rather starve than to
swindle her in this manner"
Tha. evening the lawyers got to-
gether and tried Mr.. Lincoln before
moot tribunal called THE Ogmatho-
rial Court" He was found guilty and
fined for his awful crime against the
pockets Of his brethren OF the bar. The
fine he paid with great good humOr,
and then kept the crowd OF lawyers in
uproarious laughter until after mid
night. He persisted in his revolt,
however, declaring that with his con.
sent his firm should never during its
life, or after its dissolution, deserve
the reputation enjoyed by those shin.
Ing lights Of the profession, "Catchem
and Cheatem."
In many OF the courts on the circuit
Mr.. Lincoln would be engaged on one
side or the other Of every case on the
docket, and yet, owing 10 his low
charges and the large amount OF pro
iess!oaal work be did ior nothing, at
the time ne lett Springfield Tor Wash
ington 10 take the oath of office as
President Of the United States, he was
not worth more than $1,000, his prop.
erty consisting Of the house in which
he had lived and eighty acres of land
on the opposite side of the river from
Omaha, Neb. This land he had en-
tered with his bounty land warrant
obtained for services in the Black
Hawk war. Mr.. Lincoln was always
simple in his habits aud tastes, He
was economical IN everything, and
his wants were iew. He WAS a good
liver, and his family, though not ex
trsyagant, were much given 70 enter.
ta.nmen's and saw and enjoyed many
Ways OF spending money not obtain
a0le by him. After all his economy
and .0ng life Ot successful law prac
tice, he was reduced 10 the necessity
oi borrowing money 70 detray expenseI
!or the nrst months Ol his residence u
tie White House. The money he re
| PAD after receiving his sa.ary As Prcsi
ceZ, for h; frs, quartar. Ward II
( LaE.Gn